ISPO Canada Member News - Summer 2023 Quarterly Newsletter

Welcome to the ISPO Canada Member News

As an ISPO Canada Member, we would like to stay in touch with you! In this issue, you will find an introduction to our new board members, information about upcoming events and links to our social media. We welcome your feedback on the Member News, and look forward to being in touch!

If you'd like to get in touch, please use our new contact email: info@ispocanada.ca

IN THIS ISSUE

ISPO Canada AGM/Education Session Save the Date
Amputee Coalition Update
Current Research
Q2 Research Spotlight
Member Profile Highlight
Board Member Highlight
Stay Connected with Us

A message Bill Miller, ISPO Canada President!

Dear ISPO Canada Members,

Happy summer! A couple of big events, one past and one future, have been keeping the ISPO Canada board busy. The 2023 World Congress was a resounding success. There were over 1500 attendees including at least 50
Canadians. We had the chance to gather together for a Mexican feast as a group of Canadians and managed to get a picture of the Canadian cohort. It was very rewarding to meet our international colleagues once again and to see and touch new technologies. ISPO Canada played an important role in cohosting the 2023 Congress. A big thank you to Rajiv Kalsi and Linda Laakso who led the Canadian effort in organizing the event. It's hard to believe but planning has already begun for the next World Congress in Stockholm Sweden. Mark your calendar for June 16-19, 2025.

Looking forward we are finalizing the agenda for the 2023 AGM and Education Day slated for Oct 28. The speakers for this year’s event include Dr. Jacqueline Hebert from the University of Alberta, Dr. Sara Morgan from the University of Washington, Dr. Susan Hunter from Western University, and Dr. Virginie Blanchette from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. A good blend of orthotic and prosthetic research and clinical practice material will be presented. Hope you will join us!!

In this issue we feature updates about the Amputee Coalition of Canada’s Peer Visitor Program; interview David Marcotte and Richard Presuss about their scoping review on barriers and facilitators to lower limb compliance in the pediatric population; and highlight ISPO members Catherine Vallee and Adrienne Cuch. Enjoy the read!!

Best,

Bill

President, ISPO Canada

Chers membres d'ISPO Canada,

Bon été ! Quelques événements majeurs, un passé et un futur, ont occupé le conseil d’administration d’ISPO Canada. Le Congrès mondial 2023 a été un franc succès. Il y avait plus de 1 500 participants, dont au moins 50 Canadiens. Nous avons eu la chance de nous réunir pour un festin mexicain en tant que groupe de Canadiens et avons réussi à nous faire une idée de la cohorte canadienne. Ce fut très enrichissant de retrouver nos collègues internationaux et de voir et toucher de nouvelles technologies. ISPO Canada a joué un rôle important dans la co-organisation du Congrès 2023. Un grand merci à Rajiv Kalsi et Linda Laakso qui ont dirigé les efforts canadiens pour
organiser l'événement. C'est difficile à croire, mais la planification du prochain Congrès mondial à Stockholm en Suède a déjà commencé. Marquez votre calendrier du 16 au 19 juin 2025.

Dans l'attente, nous finalisons l'ordre du jour de l'AGA 2023 et de la Journée de formation prévue le 28 octobre. Les conférenciers de l'événement de cette année comprennent la Dre Jacqueline Hebert de l'Université de l'Alberta, la
Dre Sara Morgan de l'Université de Washington et la Dre Susan Hunter. de l'Université Western et la Dre Virginie Blanchette de l'Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. Un bon mélange de matériel de recherche sur les orthèses et
prothèses et de pratique clinique sera présenté. J'espère que vous nous rejoindrez !!

Dans ce numéro, nous présentons des mises à jour sur le programme de visiteurs par les pairs de la Amputee Coalition of Canada ; interviewer David Marcotte et Richard Presuss au sujet de leur examen de la portée des obstacles et des facilitateurs de l'observance des membres inférieurs dans la population pédiatrique ; et mettons en lumière les membres de l'ISPO Catherine Vallée et Adrienne Cuch. Bonne lecture !!

Meilleur,

Bill

Président, ISPO Canada

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Amputee Coalition Update

After several challenging years and the restructuring of the board, the Amputee Coalition of Canada is happy to share that the revitalization of the ACC and Peer Visitor Program is well underway. A new and fully Canadianized Peer Visitor training curriculum has been developed with revised and expanded content including sections on mental health and self-care. A new digital format with videos, links to resources and interactive quizzes provides richer content and greater user engagement. The ACC has started delivering Peer Visitor training both in-person and online on a limited basis with plans to increase training capacity in the very near future. Requests for training or additional information are available via the new ACC website at www.amputeecoalitioncanada.org.

Peer support plays a vital role in the lives of new amputees, providing them with a unique source of understanding, empathy, and guidance. When faced with the challenges of limb loss, connecting with individuals who have experienced a similar journey can offer immeasurable comfort and reassurance. Peers who have undergone amputations can provide firsthand knowledge and insights, offering practical advice on prosthetic devices, mobility techniques, and daily living adjustments. They can empathize with the emotional struggles, helping new amputees navigate grief, self-acceptance, and body image issues. Peer support groups create a safe space for sharing concerns, fears, and triumphs, fostering a sense of belonging and reducing feelings of isolation. Hearing success stories and witnessing the accomplishments of others can inspire hope and motivation. Moreover, peer support cultivates resilience, empowering new amputees to regain confidence, independence, and a sense of purpose. By offering a network of understanding and encouragement, peer support becomes an essential lifeline in the journey toward adapting to limb loss and reclaiming one's life.

To learn more about the revitalized ACC, our mission and programs, sign up for our newsletter or to request additional information, visit our website at www.amputeecoalitioncanada.org.

Invitation to participate in research!

Participate here

Pregnancy and Lower Limb Absence

Researchers at Barber Prosthetics Clinic and the University of Toronto are recruiting individuals with lower limb loss who have had at least one pregnancy in the past 10 years to learn more about their limb absence impacted pregnancy and the healthcare received.

Contact research@barberprosthetics.com for more information.

Participate/Learn More Here

Participants Needed for Research Study on 3D Printed Prosthetic Covers

Do you want to share your experiences with transtibial (below knee) prosthetic covers?

Join us for an engaging 2 hours workshop supporting innovations in 3D printing with a compensation of $75

Participate or Learn More

Q2 Research & Education Spotlight: Orthotics

In this issue, we interviewed David Marcotte (PT MSc, Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre) and Richard Preuss (PT PhD, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University).

Article: Barriers and facilitators to lower extremity orthotic compliance in the pediatric population: A scoping review of the literature

Key Takeaways

Many factors can influence a child’s compliance with their orthotic device
Parental beliefs and perceptions were found to be an important factor affecting orthotic compliance
Appearance, comfort and function of the device are important considerations when designing and fabricating an orthosis
Communication between the clinician and other healthcare providers as well as with the child and caregiver is important throughout the treatment process
Many barriers found were linked to financial constraints and access to high-quality care, which is an even greater concern in lower-income settings

The literature emphasizes the importance of proper orthotic fit and comfort, and the child’s experience of self, for lower extremity orthotic compliance, along with multiple environmental factors.

Transportation was found to be a barrier to orthotic compliance. Mitigating this factor by collaborating with schools to provide on-site visits to children was found to be successful by the author. They highlight the impact of how autonomy, communication and stigma around assistive devices can affect compliance.

Learn more here!

Member profile highlight: Meet Catherine!

In each newsletter, we would like to highlight long-standing ISPO members. In this edition, we would like to highlight Catherine Vallée!

Catherine is a Prosthetist in Quebec. She began working in the industry 35 years ago and is currently starting a prosthetic clinic to service rural regions of Quebec. She finds it extremely rewarding seeing the impact she can make in their lives and shares that her work is “a mix of many things: a master of science, art, communication, and a good dose of empathy”.